Motorcycle riding is a popular pastime across the United States. It’s also one of the most risky road activities that you can participate in.
Good training and adequate equipment can protect you to an extent, but other drivers on the road can be unpredictable and negligent. Whether you’re an avid motorcyclist or a casual rider, the risk of being hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident is fairly high.
You can’t always escape danger on the road, but you can safeguard yourself after an accident by getting excellent legal representation from a Dalton personal injury lawyer. As head of The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, Ali Awad represents personal injury clients throughout Georgia.
From dog bites to work injuries and car crashes, Awad has successfully handled all kinds of claims for his clients. Cumulatively, he’s secured tens of millions of dollars in insurance settlements and jury awards and is also well known on social media, where he shares legal advice and case outcomes.
Schedule a confidential case evaluation with our attorney team today when you call (706) 307-4676 or contact us online to speak to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Dalton.
What Can a Dalton Motorcycle Accident Attorney Do for You?
A motorcycle accident can be life-changing. If accident victims survive, many are left with debilitating injuries, brain damage, and immense challenges that affect their well-being and future.
Insurance may help with medical bills or property damage, but the payout amounts are often too low to cover the full extent of the expenses.
If the situation above sounds familiar, you need a dedicated personal injury attorney to advocate for the settlement you deserve.
Every situation is unique, but generally, an attorney can seek the following types of damages on your behalf:
- Medical expenses: Medical bills can pile up quickly after a motorcycle accident. You may need transportation to the hospital, various tests and diagnostic procedures to assess your condition, medications to increase your comfort, or surgery to correct a significant problem. If your injuries are severe, you may need to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time. Complicated procedures and lengthy hospital stays can cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. Without good insurance and an adequate payout for your claim, you’ll face an immense financial burden.
- Damaged property: An accident can easily total your motorcycle, damage your helmet, or harm your other equipment and possessions. As part of your claim, your personal injury attorney will determine the value of these items and push for enough funds to repair or replace them.
- Lost wages: A motorcycle accident can put you out of work for weeks, months, or years. For most people, this is a devastating reality that causes immense stress and uncertainty. Even if you have some savings or live in a dual-income household, you’ll face the dual blow of losing income while facing new expenses. Therefore, personal injury cases include compensation for lost wages, as well as lost earning capacity, since your post-accident condition could impact your future job prospects.
- Loss of companionship: In fatal accidents, your personal injury attorney may include compensation for the loss of a spouse or relative. Although you can’t put a figure on a person’s life, the law allows you to claim a reasonable amount for the suffering that stems from an untimely death. You can also recover expenses to pay for your loved one’s memorial service and the handling of their remains.
- Pain and suffering: Your compensation claim may also include general damages or pay for aspects of your case that can’t be quantified, like pain and suffering or emotional distress. Your attorney will work with you to determine a fair and realistic amount to include for your situation.
What You Should Know About Motorcycle Accidents in Georgia
Georgia’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) maintains detailed motorcycle accident statistics. They publish this data and release it to the public so that drivers and motorcyclists understand the risks.
A few noteworthy statistics from their 2021 motorcycle traffic safety report (analyzing 2019 traffic data) include:
- Georgia had 170 motorcyclist fatalities in 2019 — a 22% increase from 2017
- Rear-end collisions by cars accounted for 32% of all motorcycle accidents in Georgia
- The majority of accidents happened in daylight on dry roads
- 41% of the motorcyclists involved in crashes had expired license credentials or did not possess them at all
- Fatalities were most common among motorcyclists between the ages of 25-34
Motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere, but they’re especially common at intersections in densely populated areas. Drivers always have to be vigilant about watching for motorcyclists, and riders have to understand that drivers can’t always see them.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Accident scenes are often chaotic and scary. You could be in shock, injured, or disoriented after being in a crash.
That said, you need to take the proper steps to protect yourself and raise your chances of receiving full compensation for your injury costs. Some of the primary tasks to take care of in the aftermath are outlined below.
1. Get to Safety
Move to a safe position as soon as you can. You may need to relocate to a shoulder or walk or pull into a parking lot to avoid traffic.
Be careful as you move around the accident scene since other drivers might not see you immediately.
2. Assess Your Injuries
Look yourself over for injuries, and check in with yourself to see how you’re feeling. It’s normal to feel a rush of adrenaline, and if you’ve been hurt, you may not feel the pain until the adrenaline wears off.
Take note of cuts, scrapes, bruises, broken bones, head or neck pain, and any other abnormalities. If needed, call an ambulance right away to request medical assistance.
3. Call the Police
Even if you were involved in a minor accident, it’s essential to call the police. They’ll create a report of the incident, complete with witness statements and details about everyone involved.
Insurance companies usually need this report to proceed with investigating your claim, so you’ll want to request a copy.
4. Document the Scene
Before you leave, you should document the accident scene, if possible. Take pictures and videos of property damage and injuries, and make note of any relevant details, like weather conditions, road signals, and general facts about the location.
5. Contact Insurance & Reach Out to Your Personal Injury Attorney
After the initial mayhem dies down, you’ll need to contact your insurance company to let them know about the accident. They may request a copy of the accident report along with contact info for the reporting officer and/or contact info for the involved parties.
Next, get in touch with a personal injury attorney. Make sure not to sign any documents from the insurance company or accept any offers until you’ve reviewed the numbers with your lawyer.
Insurance companies often give low payout offers at first, and they won’t adjust their offers unless they meet resistance. Therefore, you’ll want to review everything with your attorney and allow them to negotiate on your behalf if the payout isn’t sufficient for your needs.
Keeping Yourself Safe on the Road
Because of negligent drivers, you can’t eliminate all of the risks of motorcycle riding, but you can take steps to keep yourself and others safe, such as by:
- Wearing the right equipment: Cover your arms and legs with thick, protective gear that is designed for motorcycle riding. These materials will keep you from getting road rash if you’re thrown from your bike. Wear gloves and boots to protect your hands and feet, and of course, never ride without a motorcycle helmet.
- Follow visibility laws: Georgia requires that all motorcycles manufactured after 1972 have working headlights, tail lights, and turn signals. You must have a light to illuminate your license plate, and you can’t have flashing or colorful lights on your bike.
- Carry proper insurance: Don’t ever ride your motorcycle without adequate insurance. Georgia requires motorcyclists to have a minimum of $50,000 for liability insurance and at least $25,000 for property damage coverage.
- Obtain the proper training and license: Before driving on city streets or the freeway, you’ll want to review the road rules and ensure that you can safely control your bike. You’ll need to pass a motorcycle skills test and obtain a Class M license or Class M instructional permit if you’re over the age of 17. If you’re 16, you can receive a Motorcycle Instructional Permit.
- Always stay alert: Remember that motorcycles can be hard to spot on the road. Always be aware of your surroundings, and avoid distractions, bad weather conditions, or chaotic areas where accidents are common.
Even with all of these precautions, a careless motorist could hit you, or a defective vehicle part could trigger a devastating accident. If you find yourself hurt, reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney today.
Contact a Dalton Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
As a motorcyclist, you aim to be safe, responsible, and aware of your surroundings. However, even the best-laid plans can end unexpectedly.
When misfortune strikes, you’ll want to have a capable, confident, and experienced attorney on your side.
Ali Awad, from the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, is the one to trust for the job. Known for his large online following, no-nonsense legal advice, and motivation to serve his clients, Awad has a 99.5 percent success rate.
In nearly every case he takes, Awad recovers substantial damages on behalf of his clients.
No matter the severity of the accident or the circumstances, Awad will speak with you about your case and help you determine if there is a viable path toward compensation. Give The CEO Lawyer a call at (706) 307-4676 or contact us online to schedule a free case review with one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Dalton.
